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General Program Information | Taking Courses | Post-Completion

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General Program Information

What background do I need to be successful in this program?

This program is designed for individuals who have foundational HR experience and are ready to move from administrative HR tasks into a more strategic business partner role by developing the tactical and strategic skills needed to support organizational goals.

Participants should meet one of the following criteria:

• HR professionals with 2鈥�3 years of direct experience, including exposure to areas such as labor law basics, hiring and interviewing, or anti-discrimination practices
• Individuals with a degree focused on Human Resources
• Those who have completed the CSUDH Human Resource Management Certificate

If your experience is primarily specialized鈥攆or example, exclusively in benefits administration鈥攜ou may want to complete the HR Management Certificate first to build a broader HR foundation.

I don鈥檛 have a lot of experience in HR... is this course for me?

We recommend that you start out with our entry-level program, the Human Resource Management Certificate, to review the fundamental concepts. Upon completion, you will have the background knowledge to move into a more advanced and strategic application of HR with Business Partner.

What types of organizations do participants typically come from?

Participants represent a wide range of environments, including:

• Private sector companies (small to large)
• Nonprofit organizations
• Municipal and county government
• State government agencies
• Entrepreneurial/start-up environments

Content is tailored to address both universal HR practices and environment-specific nuances.

What sets this program apart from other advanced HR certificate programs?

This program provides a highly practical, hands-on learning experience that builds on bachelors and maters programs. In the second half of each course, participants break into groups to actively apply the concepts covered in the lectures. They work through real scenarios, present their results, and receive feedback and critique. This approach ensures participants are not only learning the material but practicing it in real time. The program maintains a strong real-world focus鈥攕omething that has been central to its design for over 30 years.

What does this certificate provide that I wouldn鈥檛 get from a HR-related degree?

While HR bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree programs offer strong academic foundations and theoretical frameworks, this certificate focuses on practical, real-world HR applications. You will work directly with tools, methods, and scenarios that reflect today鈥檚 HR challenges, allowing you to apply what you learn immediately in your workplace.

Instructors bring current workplace cases, emerging trends, and up-to-date legislation into each session, creating an applied learning environment that goes beyond traditional degree coursework. The emphasis is on real-world problem solving, practicing skills, and developing the tactical and strategic capabilities HR professionals need on the job.

Participants often find that this hands-on approach leads to measurable improvements in their work, greater confidence in handling HR issues, recognition from leadership, and new opportunities for career advancement.

Certificate programs also offer a shorter and more affordable path than full degree programs, making them an efficient option for building skills and advancing your career without the long-term commitment of a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree.

Should I pursue a certificate or a master鈥檚 degree if I want to be well-rounded in HR?

Both pathways offer value鈥攋ust in different ways. A master鈥檚 degree provides comprehensive academic theory and broader professional preparation, while this certificate focuses on practical, immediately applicable HR skills.

A certificate is an excellent short-term option, allowing you to build skills quickly and begin pursuing HR roles sooner. In the long term, continuing on to a master鈥檚 degree can deepen your expertise and strengthen your overall professional profile. Certificate programs may also support master鈥檚-level coursework depending on the program.

Many HR professionals choose to pursue both鈥攕tarting with the certificate to gain practical experience and then completing a master鈥檚 degree to round out their academic and strategic knowledge.

Do I need SHRM certification to get a job as an HR Business Partner?

No, SHRM certification is not required; however, it can be a strong enhancement to your portfolio and r茅sum茅. While SHRM-CP庐 or SHRM-SCP庐 certification is highly valued, employers often consider equivalent experience or education. Completing a certificate through CSUDH can also significantly strengthen your r茅sum茅 and demonstrate professional competence.

Does this program qualify for SHRM庐 recertification?

Yes. 糖心logo入口 is recognized by SHRM庐听to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP庐 and SHRM-SCP庐. The HR Business Partner program is valid for 42 PDCs toward SHRM recertification. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit听.

Does the program qualify for HR Certification Institute (HRCI庐) recertification?

Yes. The HR Business Partner program provides 42 recertification credits through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI庐), which can be applied toward the PHR庐 (Professional in Human Resources) and SPHR庐 (Senior Professional in Human Resources) credentials.

Does the HR Business Partner Certificate complement the PMP庐 (Project Management Professional) certification?

Yes. The HR Business Partner Certificate incorporates basic project management concepts, including timelines and resource allocation. It can help you apply PMP principles to HR-focused projects.

For those interested in deeper project management training, CSUDH鈥檚 Project Management Certificate program provides the required education hours to sit for the PMP庐 or CAPM庐 certification exams and helps build practical skills for success on the job.

Can I mix and match HR Business Partner courses with HR Management courses?

Unfortunately, you cannot mix and match with HRM certificate courses if you are seeking a certificate. You must complete all three courses in the HR Business Partner program to earn the HR Business Partner Certificate. You may take individual courses for recertification credits if you opt to not pursue the certificate.

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Taking Courses

Do I need to apply to CSUDH to take the HR Business Partner Certificate Program?

No. You do not need to apply for admission to the university. You can register for courses directly through our online shopping cart system on the course website.

Do I need to buy any textbooks, or are course materials included?

You don鈥檛 need to purchase any textbooks. All course materials and supplemental resources are provided by the instructors through our Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and are included in the program fee.听

What is the weekly time commitment?

Each class session is three hours. This certificate is designed with working professionals in mind, so assignments outside of class are minimal. Most activities, including collaborative discussions, case studies, and skills practice take place during class sessions. Optional outside work may include applying concepts to your workplace or doing brief research for your own benefit.

Is there homework in this program?

No formal homework is assigned. All lectures, activities, case studies, and collaborative discussions are completed during class time. The only 鈥渉omework,鈥� if any, is applying what you learn to your workplace鈥攎any participants are able to immediately use class principles to improve processes or address real-world HR issues.

How do I pay for the program?

Registration and payment are completed through our online shopping cart system, which you can access directly from the online schedule display.

Payment is due at the time of registration. You may register and pay for each course individually as you progress through the series or choose to register and pay for the full three-course certificate at once.

Is financial aid available for this program?

Federal student financial aid (FAFSA) is not available for this program. As a professional development offering that does not require admission to the university, it does not meet federal financial aid eligibility criteria.

However, unemployed and underemployed individuals may be able to receive funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). For more information, visit our 听or email听wioa@csudh.edu.

Individuals may also explore private student loan options. To learn more, search online for 鈥減rivate student loan providers鈥� and review specific lender requirements and terms.

Additionally, if your organization offers professional development or tuition assistance benefits, you may be able to request support for this program.

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Post-Completion

I completed the certificate program. How do I obtain my certificate and digital badges?

Once you have completed all the courses in the certificate program, you will need to apply to receive the certificate. Please allow 4-6 weeks after you鈥檝e put in your request for processing. If you have any additional questions/issues, please contact听eecertificate@csudh.edu.

You will also be able to see and share your earned digital badges once the final grades from all required course(s) have been submitted and you have applied for your certificate. There are several ways to view, check the status of, and/or share your digital credentials! Once you have successfully completed all required courses, you can claim your certificate badges by signing into to create an account using your CSUDH Toromail address. For more information, visit our Digital Credentials website.

Can the HR Business Partner Certificate Program be used as college credit toward a degree?

Unfortunately, no. These courses are not for academic credit. However, they provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and award digital credentials you can share on LinkedIn and r茅sum茅s.

What professional organizations should I consider joining?听

Participants often engage with:听

• for employer resources
• Industry-specific associations (manufacturing, safety, healthcare, etc.)

Why do the instructors enjoy teaching in this program?

Instructors consistently share that they learn from participants just as participants learn from them. They value the exchange of real-world experiences, the professional growth they witness in each cohort, and the opportunity to support participants as they advance in their HR careers.